EP4321671A1 - Needling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The needle machine (2) according to the invention comprises a first main shaft (14), a second main shaft (16), at least one first connecting rod (20), which is eccentrically mounted on the first main shaft (14), at least one second connecting rod (22), which is mounted eccentrically on the second main shaft (16), and at least one needle bar (24, 26). The at least one first connecting rod (20) and the at least one second connecting rod (22) are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Each of the at least one needle beam (24, 26) is rigidly connected to the at least one first connecting rod (20) or the at least one second connecting rod (22). The first and second main shafts (14, 16) can be driven in opposite directions.

Description

The present invention relates to a needling machine for needling a textile fabric, such as a fibrous web, a nonwoven, woven or laid fabric.

Needle machines are well known and, for example, in Fuchs and Albrecht: “Nonwovens”, Wiley-VCH Verlag Weinheim, 2nd edition 2012 or even in Albrecht, Fuchs, Kittelmann: “Nonwovens”, Wiley-VCH Verlag Weinheim, 2000 described.

Needle machines usually include at least one needle bar equipped with a plurality of needles, which is set into an oscillating lifting movement by means of a crank drive in order to pierce the needles into the textile fabric that is moved under the at least one needle bar and to pull them out of it. Various needle beam kinematics are known, which can be selected, for example, depending on the desired consolidation, the size and speed of the textile fabric to be consolidated, and the requirements of the end product.

In conventional needling, the at least one needle bar has a substantially constant vertical stroke, whereby the needles are moved essentially one-dimensionally, linearly. This can be achieved by so-called straight guides of the needle bar, which are formed, for example, by lever or rod guides.

In elliptical needling, the at least one needle bar experiences a horizontal stroke in addition to the vertical stroke, with a substantially elliptical movement of the needles being generated by superimposing the vertical and horizontal movement components. The needles can thereby be moved with the textile fabric while it is being pierced into the textile fabric, thereby minimizing distortions and placing less stress on the needles. To realize the horizontal stroke, a further crank mechanism with a substantially horizontally aligned connecting rod is usually provided. Suitable drive concepts are, for example, in EP 0 892 102 A2 described.

With a third needle bar kinematics, the needles are essentially moved in a circular path, with the needles constantly oriented vertically. This can for example can be achieved in that the at least one needle bar is correspondingly coupled to a crankshaft without a linear movement being forced on it by means of a straight guide.

For each of the three needle bar kinematics or types of movement mentioned (straight, elliptical, circular movement of the needles), appropriately designed needle machines with different drive concepts for moving the needle bars have so far had to be provided. This results in high costs for the needle machines and in a limited area of application for each individual machine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a needle machine that enables cost-effective production and flexible use.

This task is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A needle machine according to the invention for solidifying a textile fabric, in particular a fiber fleece or fiber web, a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric or a fabric, which can be conveyed in a conveying direction through the needle machine, comprises a first main shaft and a second main shaft, at least a first connecting rod, which is eccentrically mounted on the first main shaft, at least one second connecting rod, which is eccentrically mounted on the second main shaft, and at least one needle beam, wherein the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are articulated to one another and each of the at least a needle beam is rigidly connected to the at least one first connecting rod or the at least one second connecting rod. The first main shaft and the second main shaft can be driven in opposite directions.

In this way, a needle machine is provided with a basic structure that enables the implementation of two of the three needle bar kinematics described above, namely conventional needling and elliptical needling, and at the same time has the simplest possible structure. The at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are mounted on the first and second main shafts as well as in their articulated connection, whereby they form a statically determined system. This system comes with no additional guide elements for guiding the needle bar out of. By rigidly connecting the at least one needle beam, connecting rod bearings and the associated lubrication and sealing points can be saved at this point. By reducing the number of parts and variety of parts and increasing the number of pieces, the manufacturing costs of the needle machine are reduced. This is further facilitated by the fact that expensive components, such as a needle beam carrier or a straight guide, can be dispensed with. In the sense of a platform solution, different needle bar kinematics can be implemented by slightly modifying individual components and/or operating parameters of the needle machine. More precisely, the needle machine is basically designed in this way to move the at least one needle bar in such a way that the needles or needle tips describe a substantially linear trajectory or a substantially elliptical trajectory. A wide range of applications and therefore flexible use of the needle machine is made possible by the diverse setting options of a needle machine with this basic structure.

In other words, each of the at least one needle beam is rigidly connected to one of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod. If only one needle bar is provided, it can be connected to the at least one first connecting rod or the at least one second connecting rod. If a plurality of needle beams are provided, all needle beams are preferably connected to the at least one first connecting rod or to the at least one second connecting rod. For all embodiments, a needle beam is not connected to both the at least one first and the at least one second connecting rod.

Each of the at least one needle bar can be equipped with a large number of needles. For example, the needle machine includes at least one needle board for each needle bar, which carries the plurality of needles and which is preferably releasably connected to the needle bar. The at least one needle board is rigidly attached to the needle bar. The needles can be inserted individually directly into the needle board. For example, needle modules can also be provided, each of which comprises a plurality of needles on a module carrier into which the needles are, for example, injected or inserted. Each needle module can have one or more rows of needles and is preferably detachably inserted into a receptacle of the needle board, the size and contour of which can correspond to the size and contour of the module carrier. The needle modules are preferably fixed relative to the needle board, i.e. accommodated immovably in it. The needle machine preferably comprises at least two needle bars, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction in order to achieve the densest and most uniform needling of the textile fabric. For example, the needle machine comprises a first needle bar and a second needle bar, the first needle bar being arranged behind the second needle bar in the conveying direction.

Each of the at least one needle bar is preferably attached directly to the at least one first connecting rod or the at least one second connecting rod. This means that there is no need for a bridge or a needle beam carrier, to which several needle beams are usually attached on the one hand and the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod on the other hand. This reduces the number of parts, the number of connection points and the moving masses.

For example, the needle machine comprises a connecting element, for example a connecting element with an L- or T-shaped cross section, which is screwed to one of the at least one needle bar and one of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod. The connecting element can be designed as a separate component or integrally with the respective one of the first and second connecting rods, for example in the form of a flange.

It is understood that connecting means, such as the connecting elements described, can be used for the direct connection of each needle beam to the corresponding connecting rod. The respective needle bar preferably rests directly on the corresponding connecting rod. Elements, such as a needle beam carrier, to which the at least one or the at least two needle beams are attached and to which the connecting rods are attached substantially independently of the at least one needle beam, are not included in the direct connection described herein. If the at least two needle beams are provided, they are preferably either not connected to one another or are connected exclusively via one of the at least one first and the at least one second connecting rod.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each of the at least one needle bar is attached to at least one first connecting rod. Consequently, all needle bars are the Needle machine attached to the at least one first connecting rod, in particular also in the embodiment in which the at least two needle bars arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction are provided. Preferably, each of the at least one needle bar is attached exclusively to at least one first connecting rod. In this embodiment, the at least one second connecting rod does not carry a needle beam. The at least one second connecting rod is preferably rotatably mounted exclusively on the second main shaft and on at least one first connecting rod.

The at least one first connecting rod can have a first connecting section to which the first needle beam is attached. A corresponding second connecting section, to which the second needle bar is attached, can also be provided on at least one first connecting rod.

The connection can be made by means of a first or second connecting element. If the first and second connecting elements have an L- or T-shaped cross section, as described above, a first leg of the connecting element is preferably screwed to the at least one first connecting rod and a second leg of the connecting element is screwed to the corresponding needle beam.

The at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are preferably connected directly to one another. There is then no connecting element such as a bridge or the like provided to which the two connecting rods are attached essentially independently of one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are connected by means of a swivel joint. The swivel joint preferably defines an axis of rotation that is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main shaft and/or the second main shaft. This makes it particularly easy to implement the articulated connection of the first and second connecting rods. Preferably, exactly one first connecting rod is connected to exactly one second connecting rod by means of exactly one swivel joint that has only a single axis of rotation. The swivel joint can form the only connection between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. Consequently, a more complex joint connection of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, which may have several rotation or pivot axes, can be dispensed with.

In other words, each first connecting rod and each second connecting rod preferably each comprise exactly one first bearing point and one second bearing point, being rotatably mounted on the first and second main shafts at the first bearing point and being mounted at the second bearing point in the swivel joint.

In one embodiment, the swivel joint can comprise a bearing pin or bearing pin on which the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are rotatably mounted, for example by means of a roller bearing in each case. A longitudinal axis of the bearing pin can form the axis of rotation. Preferably, exactly one first connecting rod and exactly one second connecting rod are mounted on a common bearing pin. Alternative embodiments of the swivel joint will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the at least one first connecting rod can have two plate-shaped sections which are arranged next to one another and spaced apart from one another at least in the region of the swivel joint in a width direction of the needle machine. The at least one second connecting rod is accommodated in the area of the swivel joint between the two plate-shaped sections. The bearing pin can be rotatably mounted in each of the two plate-shaped sections by means of a roller bearing. In other words, each plate-shaped section includes a second bearing point of the at least one first connecting rod. The at least one second connecting rod can be mounted on the bearing pin in a rotationally fixed manner, for example clamped. Alternative mountings of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod on the bearing pin are conceivable. The at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod can also simply be arranged one behind the other in the width direction and connected by means of the swivel joint, as described above.

In general, the width direction of the needle machine, in which a working width of the needle machine is also defined, is preferably aligned parallel to the axis of rotation or to the longitudinal axes of the first and second main shafts. In general, the conveying direction is preferably aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first and second main shafts, so that the conveying direction and the width direction are perpendicular to one another. More preferably, both the width direction and the conveying direction are oriented substantially horizontally so that they define a horizontal plane. A height direction the needle machine is defined perpendicular to the conveying direction and the width direction and is preferably aligned vertically. The vertical lifting movement of the at least one needle bar preferably runs parallel to the height direction.

In order to realize different trajectories of the needles or needle tips, in addition to the basic structure of the needle machine described, the position of the swivel joint is important, in particular relative to the needle bars, which is described in more detail below.

Preferably, the swivel joint, in particular the axis of rotation, is arranged in the conveying direction between the first and the second main shaft, in particular between the longitudinal axes of the two main shafts.

The needle machine preferably comprises the at least two needle bars, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, and the axis of rotation of the swivel joint is arranged between the two needle bars in the conveying direction. In particular, each needle bar has a central plane and the axis of rotation of the swivel joint is arranged between the central planes of two needle bars adjacent in the conveying direction and is preferably aligned parallel to them.

In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation is arranged off-center between the at least two needle bars. The axis of rotation can also be arranged symmetrically between the two central planes. In general, with an off-center arrangement, the axis of rotation in the conveying direction can be arranged at a distance of a few centimeters from a plane of symmetry between the first and the second main shaft, preferably in a range from 0.1 cm to 5 cm, more preferably from 1 cm to 3 cm from the plane of symmetry.

The center planes of the needle beams are aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction or parallel to the width direction and the height direction. The fact that the axis of rotation is arranged in the conveying direction between the main shafts or between the needle beams does not mean that it is arranged in the same plane or at the same height as these. Rather, a projection of the axis of rotation, the longitudinal axes and the central planes into a common plane should be considered, which defines parallel to the conveying direction and the width direction is. An offset in the height direction should therefore not be taken into account when considering the arrangement in the conveying direction.

In a first embodiment of the needle machine, in which the at least two needle beams are attached to at least one first connecting rod, a connecting section, for example the first connecting section, can consequently be arranged substantially below the first main shaft, so that the at least one first connecting rod passes through the first needle beam is essentially subjected to tension and compression. The other connecting section, for example the second connecting section, is then not arranged under the first main shaft but offset from it in the conveying direction, so that the at least one first connecting rod is also subjected to bending loads by the second needle beam. When viewed in the width direction, the at least one first connecting rod can have a substantially triangular shape between the first connecting section, the second connecting section and the first main shaft in order to be sufficiently rigid. The second connecting rod is essentially only subjected to tension and compression.

The swivel joint, in particular the axis of rotation, is preferably arranged in the height direction between the first and second main shafts and the at least one needle bar. The first and second main shafts are therefore arranged above the swivel joint and the at least one needle bar is arranged below the swivel joint. In this respect, the needle machine differs significantly from a needle machine with a power take-off drive for generating a horizontal stroke, in which a secondary connecting rod is aligned essentially horizontally and is mounted on a secondary shaft, which is significantly below the main shaft and essentially at the same height with an articulated connection to the needle bar arrangement, e.g. to a needle beam carrier, is arranged.

Due to the described arrangement of the swivel joint at a height between the two main shafts and the at least one needle beam, vibrations in the system can be kept low. This can further be promoted by the swivel joint being arranged as close as possible to the moving masses, in particular to the at least one needle beam. A first distance is defined parallel to the height direction between the first main shaft, in particular its longitudinal axis, and the at least one needle bar, in particular an upper side of the at least one needle bar. A second distance is parallel to the height direction between the swivel joint, in particular the Axis of rotation, and the at least one needle bar, in particular a top side of the at least one needle bar, is defined. Preferably, the second distance is smaller than the first distance, more preferably smaller than half of the first distance, even more preferably smaller than a third or smaller than a quarter of the first distance.

It also contributes to minimizing vibrations if the first and second main shafts are preferably arranged at the same height. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the first main shaft and the longitudinal axis of the second main shaft lie in a plane that is preferably aligned perpendicular to the height direction or parallel to the conveying direction and to the width direction, in particular horizontally. In particular, horizontal forces that result from the eccentric mounting of the connecting rods on the main shafts when the main shafts rotate can be minimized or eliminated, at least in certain operating modes, for example when the main sources are driven in opposite directions and essentially in phase.

Preferably, the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod overlap at least partially in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first main shaft and the second main shaft, that is to say in the width direction. Such an interlocked arrangement of the connecting rods allows them to be connected in an articulated manner particularly easily. Above all, the swivel joint, for example comprising the bearing pin as described above, can be designed to be simple. In other words, the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are arranged one behind the other in sections in the width direction. For example, the first connecting rod includes the second bearing point and the second connecting rod includes the second bearing point in which the swivel joint is formed, and the two second bearing points are arranged one behind the other in the width direction. This is also the case if the at least one second connecting rod is accommodated between the two plate-shaped sections of the at least one first connecting rod.

Preferably, the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod overlap each other exclusively in the area of the second bearing points, but not in the area of the first and second main shafts and in the area of the connecting sections.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod partially overlap only in the width direction, but not in the height direction. In particular, no section of the first connecting rod is arranged above a section of the second connecting rod and vice versa.

The at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are preferably fixed translationally relative to one another. This applies in particular in the swivel joint in all directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation, especially in the conveying direction and in the height direction of the needle machine. Due to the design of the needle machine, it is not necessary for the connecting rods to be translationally movable relative to one another in a direction parallel to the conveying direction and/or to the height direction in order to avoid jamming.

Rather, the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod are preferably mounted on the first main shaft, on the second main shaft and in the swivel joint in such a way that they form a statically determined system.

The at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod can also be fixed translationally relative to one another in the width direction. This is achieved in particular by appropriate storage on the first or second main shaft and in the swivel joint.

In a preferred embodiment, the needle machine comprises a plurality of first connecting rods and a plurality of second connecting rods, each first connecting rod being eccentrically mounted on the first main shaft and every second connecting rod being eccentrically mounted on the second main shaft. In each case a first connecting rod of the plurality of first connecting rods and a second connecting rod of the plurality of second connecting rods are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Preferably, each of the at least one needle beam is rigidly connected to the plurality of first connecting rods or rigidly connected to the plurality of second connecting rods. As a result, the load of the needle beams is distributed over several connecting rods, preferably arranged in parallel. In addition, rotation of the at least one needle bar about an axis parallel to the height direction is effectively prevented.

All of the features described herein with respect to the first connecting rod preferably apply to each first connecting rod of the plurality of first connecting rods and all of the features described herein with respect to the second Connecting rod features described preferably apply to every second connecting rod of the plurality of second connecting rods.

The first connecting rods of the plurality of first connecting rods are preferably arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the first main shaft and the second connecting rods of the plurality of second connecting rods are preferably arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the second main shaft. Pairs are thereby formed, each consisting of a first and a second connecting rod, the pairs being arranged at a distance from one another in the width direction, but otherwise preferably having an analogous design. The longitudinal direction of the first and second main shafts is aligned parallel to their longitudinal axes.

In this embodiment, it is further preferred if the plurality of first connecting rods are translationally fixed in the longitudinal direction of the first main shaft and the plurality of second connecting rods are translationally fixed in the longitudinal direction of the second main shaft. For this purpose, a connection between adjacent first connecting rods or adjacent second connecting rods can be provided parallel to the width direction, for example a shear-resistant or tensile and pressure-resistant connection. The connection can include, for example, bracing or shear plates.

According to the invention, the needle machine is set up and designed to drive the first main shaft and the second main shaft in opposite directions. In all embodiments, the first main shaft and the second main shaft are preferably rotationally drivable. For this purpose, a first drive for the first main shaft and a second drive for the second main shaft can be provided. Alternatively, a drive is provided which drives the first or the second main shaft, with a torque transmission device transferring the torque from the driven one of the first and second main shafts to the other one of the first and second main shafts. The torque transmission device may include a gearbox. A wide variety of embodiments of the torque transmission devices are known to those skilled in the art.

In order to generate the desired movement path of the needles or needle tips, according to a preferred embodiment it is provided that a phase of the first main wave differs from a phase of the second main wave. For this purpose, the phases can be different relative to one another, preferably changeable. A phase difference between the first main shaft and the second main shaft is preferably between 0° and 180°, more preferably between 0° and 90°, even more preferably between 5° and 20°. If no phase difference (phase difference 0°) is provided, the needles or needle tips move essentially linearly up and down. A phase difference between the first and second main waves causes the needle bars to tilt and thereby a substantially elliptical movement path of the needles or needle tips. Consequently, the expression of the essentially elliptical movement path can be varied by adjusting the phase difference.

Regardless of this, the movement path of the needles or needle tips is determined by the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod on the respective main shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one first connecting rod on the first main shaft differs from the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one second connecting rod on the second main shaft. The difference between the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one first connecting rod and the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one second connecting rod is preferably between 1 mm and 20 mm, more preferably between 1 mm and 9 mm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first main shaft and the second main shaft can be driven in opposite directions and the at least one needle bar can be moved in a substantially rectilinear oscillating manner. For this purpose, the first and second main shafts are preferably driven in phase. Although the at least one needle beam is rigidly connected to one of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod, an opposite rotation of the main shafts can be achieved by the articulated connection of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod. The needle machine is therefore designed in such a way that the at least one needle bar or the needles or needle tips move essentially in a straight line, oscillating up and down in the height direction. In this way, a substantially rectilinear, i.e. linear, preferably vertical movement path of the needles or lifting movement of the at least one needle bar can be achieved without straight guides.

Under certain circumstances, the storage of the connecting rods and the rigid attachment of the at least one connecting rod to them can result in a slight tilting movement of the at least one needle bar result. This tilting movement can be counteracted by the deep and off-center arrangement of the swivel joint or the axis of rotation. The tilting movement is preferably limited to an angular range of less than +/- 1.5° compared to a completely straight movement. This slight deviation should therefore also be included in the “essentially rectilinear movement” of the needle tips. In comparison, a tilting movement that is generated to produce an elliptical movement path of the needles or needle tips is larger and usually occurs in an angular range of more than 1.5 ° compared to a completely rectilinear movement.

The needle machine can be designed in such a way that the axis of rotation moves up and down essentially in a straight line during the lifting movement of the at least one needle bar. This can be the case in particular if the axis of rotation is arranged symmetrically between the first and second main shafts in the conveying direction.

However, it is also possible with an off-center arrangement of the axis of rotation by adjusting the length of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod accordingly and/or the eccentricity of the bearing of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod differ.

A straight guidance of the at least one needle bar or a horizontal power take-off drive for generating elliptical or circular trajectories or various needle bar kinematics, as described at the beginning, are fundamentally not required in the needle machine according to the invention. It is therefore fundamentally possible for each of the at least one needle beam to be articulated exclusively by the at least one first connecting rod or the at least one second connecting rod.

With a non-linear trajectory of the needles or needle tips, such as an elliptical trajectory, increased horizontal forces can occur, especially as the stroke increases. Horizontal forces result in particular from the movement of the at least one needle beam and from the eccentric mounting of the at least one first connecting rod and the at least one second connecting rod on the first or second main shaft when they are driven in opposite directions with phase adjustment. The needle machine can preferably withstand these forces without additional support or guidance means.

Especially with heavy needle boards, the load on the main shafts and their bearings is high. In general, each needle board or needle bar can have 25,000 to 55,000, preferably 40,000 to 50,000 needles per meter. This makes the needle machine also suitable for applications with very high needle density.

The speed of rotation of the main shafts also affects their load. Preferably, the first and second main shafts are driven at a rotational speed of 1,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm, more preferably 1,500 rpm to 2,500 rpm.

Fig. 1

zeigt schematisch eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Nadelmaschine in einer Seitenansicht.

Fig. 2

zeigt schematisch die Nadelmaschine nach Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Fig. 3

zeigt schematisch eine Abwandlung der Nadelmaschine nach Fig. 1 und 2 in einer Seitenansicht.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

shows schematically a first embodiment of a needle machine according to the invention in a side view.

Fig. 2

shows schematically the needle machine Fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Fig. 3

shows schematically a modification of the needle machine Fig. 1 and 2 in a side view.

In the figures, the same elements are marked with the same reference numerals.

An embodiment of a needle machine 2 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 in a side view and in Fig. 2 shown schematically in a perspective view. In Fig. 3 shows a section of a modification of the needle machine 2 Fig. 1 and 2 . If with reference to Fig. 3 Unless otherwise described, these apply in relation to the embodiment Fig. 1 and 2 Features described analogous to the embodiment Fig. 3 to.

The needle machine 2 is used to solidify a textile fabric 4, which is in the form of a fibrous web, a nonwoven web, a scrim, a fabric or the like can. The textile fabric 4 is moved in a conveying direction F by the needle machine 2. In a solidification zone 6 of the needle machine 2, the textile fabric 4 is solidified and is preferably received between a needle plate 8 and a hold-down plate 10. To solidify the textile fabric 4, a large number of needles 12, only a few of which are shown as examples, are inserted into the fabric 4 in an oscillating manner and pulled out again from it. The throat plate 8 and the hold-down plate 10 have corresponding openings through which the needles 12 can pass. In order to move the plurality of needles 12 in an oscillating manner, the needle machine 2 is constructed as described below.

The needle machine 2 includes a first main shaft 14 and a second main shaft 16, which can be driven in rotation. For this purpose, the needle machine 2 can comprise a drive (not shown), which drives one of the two main shafts 14, 16, and a torque transmission device 18, which is designed, for example, as a gear, here as a spur gear stage. A wide variety of torque transmission devices 18 are known to those skilled in the art, as is the possibility of providing a drive for each main shaft 14, 16.

At least a first connecting rod 20 is mounted eccentrically on the first main shaft 14 and at least a second connecting rod 22 is mounted eccentrically on the second main shaft 16. Due to the eccentric mounting of the connecting rods 20, 22, a rotational movement of the main shafts 14, 16 about their respective longitudinal axes 14a, 16a is converted into a lifting movement, which has at least one component parallel to a height direction H of the needle machine 2.

The height direction H is defined perpendicular to the conveying direction F and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes 14a, 16a of the main shafts 14, 16. A width direction B of the needle machine 2 is defined parallel to the longitudinal axes 14a, 16a of the main shafts 14, 16 or perpendicular to the conveying direction F and the height direction H.

As in Fig. 2 To recognize, the needle machine 2 preferably comprises a plurality of first connecting rods 20, here two first connecting rods 20a and 20b, and a plurality of second connecting rods 22, here two second connecting rods 22a, 22b. The first connecting rods 20a, 20b of the plurality of first connecting rods 20 are preferably designed analogously, in a longitudinal direction of the first Main shaft 14, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 14a, arranged at a distance from one another and mounted eccentrically on the first main shaft 14. The second connecting rods 22a, 22b of the plurality of second connecting rods 22 are preferably designed analogously, arranged at a distance from one another in a longitudinal direction of the second main shaft 16, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 16a, and mounted eccentrically on the second main shaft 16. As a result, pairs are formed, each consisting of a first connecting rod 20 and a second connecting rod 22. All features described herein with respect to the first or at least one first connecting rod 20 and with regard to the second or at least one second connecting rod 22 can apply to each connecting rod 20, 22 of the plurality of first and second connecting rods 20, 22. The number of connecting rods or pairs of connecting rods can essentially be chosen arbitrarily.

Furthermore, the needle machine 2 includes at least one needle bar 24, which carries the plurality of needles 12. In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the needle machine 2 can include at least one needle board (not shown) for each needle bar 24, which is rigidly connected to the respective needle bar 24 and into which the plurality of needles 12 or a plurality of needle modules, each with several needles 12 are inserted. The needle bar 24 can also be referred to as the first needle bar 24. The needle machine 2 preferably comprises at least two needle bars 24, 26, here the first needle bar 24 and a second needle bar 26, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F. The number of needle bars can essentially be chosen arbitrarily. Unless an explicit distinction is made herein between the first and second needle bars 24, 26, the features described apply in principle to each of the at least one needle bars 24, 26.

The at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22 are connected to one another in an articulated manner and each of the at least one needle beam 24, 26 is rigidly connected to one of the at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22.

In this way, a needle machine 2 is provided with a basic structure that enables the implementation of different needle bar kinematics. If the main shafts 14, 16 are driven in opposite directions, for example, and there is a phase adjustment between the first and second main shafts 14, 16, the tips of the Needles 12 describe a substantially elliptical trajectory. If, for example, the main shafts 14, 16 are driven in opposite directions and there is no phase adjustment between the first and second main shafts 14, 16, the tips of the needles 12 can describe a substantially rectilinear movement path. By adjusting the direction of rotation of the main shafts 14, 16, the stroke determined by the eccentric mounting of the connecting rods 20, 22, the phase adjustment between the main shafts 14, 16 and the position of the articulated connection of the connecting rods 20, 22, the movement path described by the needle tips can be adjusted be varied. The embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 is particularly suitable for a substantially elliptical or rectilinear trajectory.

If the at least one needle bar 24, 26 is attached directly to the respective at least one connecting rod 20, 22, additional components such as a needle bar carrier can be dispensed with. This is particularly unnecessary because the at least one needle beam 24, 26 is, on the one hand, rigid and, on the other hand, connected to only one of the first connecting rod 20 and the second connecting rod 22.

In the in Fig. 1 and 2 In the embodiment shown, both the first needle bar 24 and the second needle bar 26 are rigidly connected to the at least one first connecting rod 20, here with the plurality of first connecting rods 20. Thus, all needle beams 24, 26 are attached exclusively to at least one first connecting rod 20. In this embodiment, the at least one second connecting rod 22 does not carry a needle beam and is rotatably mounted exclusively on the second main shaft 16 and on the first connecting rod 20.

The at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22 are preferably connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of a swivel joint 28. The swivel joint 28 defines an axis of rotation 28a, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 14a of the first main shaft 14 and to the longitudinal axis 16a of the second main shaft 16. A swivel joint 28b or 28c is preferably provided for each pair of connecting rods 20a, 22a or 20b, 22b. The swivel joint 28 with exactly one axis of rotation 28a can form the only connection between the at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22. Other connections between the connecting rods 20, 22 can be dispensed with in the needle machine 2. The swivel joint 28 can comprise a bearing pin 30, the longitudinal axis of which defines the axis of rotation 28a and on which at least the first or the second connecting rod 20, 22 and preferably both the first and the second connecting rod 20, 22 are rotatably mounted, for example by means of a rolling bearing 32 (see Fig. 3 ). It is also conceivable that the bearing pin 30 is formed integrally with the first and second connecting rods 20, 22, for example in the form of a stub shaft on one of the connecting rods 20, 22, or that the first or second connecting rod 20, 22 is rotationally fixed on the Bearing pin 30 is stored.

Regardless of the exact design of the swivel joint 28, it is preferred if each first connecting rod 20 includes a first bearing point 34 and a second bearing point 36 and if every second connecting rod 22 includes a first bearing point 38 and a second bearing point 40. Each connecting rod 20, 22 is rotatably mounted on the respective main shaft 14, 16 at its first bearing point 34, 38 and is mounted in the swivel joint 28 at its second bearing point 36, 40.

In order to be able to connect the at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22 to one another in an articulated manner as easily as possible, preferably by means of the swivel joint 28, the at least one first connecting rod 20 and the at least one second connecting rod 22 overlap at least partially in the width direction B. Due to the interlocked arrangement of the connecting rods 20, 22 formed in this way, they are arranged one behind the other in sections in the width direction B. For example, the second bearing point 36 of the first connecting rod 20 and the second bearing point 40 of the second connecting rod 22 are arranged one behind the other in the width direction B. The swivel joint 28 is formed in the second bearing points 36, 40. It is preferred if the first and second connecting rods 20, 22 only overlap in the area of the second bearing points 36, 40.

How particularly good in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 As can be seen, the swivel joint 28 or the axis of rotation 28a is preferably arranged in the conveying direction F between the needle bars 24, 26 and, independently of this, in the height direction H between the main shafts 14, 16 and the needle bars 24, 26. The arrangement of the swivel joint 28 can be used to influence the movement path of the needle tips as well as the forces and moments acting in the system.

More specifically, the first needle bar 24 can have a first center plane 42 and the second needle bar 26 can have a second center plane 44, the first and second center planes 42, 44 being aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction F or parallel to the height direction H and the width direction B. The axis of rotation 28a of the swivel joint 28 is preferably arranged in the conveying direction F between the first and second central planes 42, 44 and can be aligned parallel to these.

In the height direction H, the first main shaft 14 and the second main shaft 16 are preferably arranged above the swivel joint 28 and the at least one needle bar 24 is preferably arranged under the swivel joint 28. The first and second main shafts 14, 16 can also be arranged at the same height, whereby vibrations can be minimized, particularly when the main shafts 14, 16 are operated in opposite directions. The longitudinal axes 14a, 16a of the first main shaft 14 and the second main shaft 16 then lie in a plane which is preferably aligned parallel to the conveying direction F and the width direction B and particularly preferably horizontally. A particularly simple structure is realized if the needle machine 2 exclusively includes the two main shafts 14, 16 and no other shafts are otherwise provided, the rotational movement of which is transmitted to the at least one needle bar 24 by means of connecting rods.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the swivel joint 28 is arranged as close as possible to the moving masses, i.e. to the at least one needle bar 24, 26. More precisely, a first distance A1 is defined parallel to the height direction H between the first and second main shafts 14, 16 and the at least one needle bar 24, 26 and a second distance A2 is defined parallel to the height direction H between the swivel joint 28, in particular the axis of rotation 28a, and the at least one needle bar 24, 26 is defined. The top side of the at least one needle bar 24, 26, with which it is attached to the respective connecting rod 20, 22, preferably serves as a reference point. The second distance A2 is smaller than the first distance A1.

Referring to Fig. 3 is mainly focused on the differences to the Figures 1 and 2 received, with the remaining regarding Fig. 1 and 2 Features described analogous to the embodiment Fig. 3 apply and vice versa.

As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, each of the at least one needle bar 24, 26 is attached to the respective connecting rod in a corresponding connecting section. For example points the at least one first connecting rod 20 has a first connecting section 46, to which the first needle bar 24 is attached, and a second connecting section 48, to which the second needle bar 26 is attached.

In Fig. 3 The connection of the needle beams 24, 26 to the first connecting rod 20 is also shown in more detail. The connection described in more detail below can easily be transferred to all embodiments. The connection is made here by means of at least one first connecting element 50 and at least one second connecting element 52, which can each be designed as separate components or integrally with the respective connecting rod.

The first connecting element 50 connects the first needle beam 24 to the at least one first connecting rod 20 in the first connecting section 46. The second connecting element 52 connects the second needle beam 24 to the at least one first connecting rod 20 in the second connecting section 48. It can be at any connection of a connecting rod to A corresponding connecting element can be provided for each needle bar.

The connecting elements 50, 52 can have a substantially L- or T-shaped cross section with at least two legs that run perpendicular to one another. A first leg of each connecting element 50, 52 can then be connected to the first connecting rod 20 and a second leg of each connecting element 50, 52 can be connected to the respective needle beam 24, 26. For example, the connecting elements 50, 52 are screwed to the first connecting rod 20 and the needle beams 24, 26, as shown. Preferably, the first leg lies flat against the first connecting rod 20 and the second leg lies flat against the respective needle bar 24, 26, in particular on the top side thereof. In this way, the connection can be easily implemented and is easily accessible. Alternative connection options are conceivable. For example, the at least one first connecting rod 20 can have a flange for screwing to the corresponding needle beam 24, 26.

Further embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the features described herein.

Claims (15)

Needle machine (2) for solidifying a textile fabric (4), in particular a fiber fleece or fiber web, which can be conveyed in a conveying direction (F) through the needle machine (2), with: a first main shaft (14) and a second main shaft (16); at least one first connecting rod (20), which is eccentrically mounted on the first main shaft (14), and at least one second connecting rod (22), which is eccentrically mounted on the second main shaft (16), wherein the at least one first connecting rod (20) and the at least one second connecting rod (22) is connected to one another in an articulated manner; and at least one needle beam (24, 26), each of the at least one needle beam (24, 26) being rigidly connected to the at least one first connecting rod (20) or the at least one second connecting rod (22); characterized in that the first main shaft (14) and the second main shaft (16) can be driven in opposite directions. Needle machine (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least one needle bar (24, 26) is attached directly to the at least one first connecting rod (20) or the at least one second connecting rod (22). Needle machine (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the at least one needle bar (24, 26) is attached to at least one first connecting rod (20). Needle machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first connecting rod (20) is connected to the at least one second connecting rod (22) by means of a swivel joint (28) which has an axis of rotation (28a), which is aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis (14a, 16a) of the first main shaft (14) and the second main shaft (16). Needle machine (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the needle machine (2) comprises at least two needle bars (24, 26) which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (F) of the needle machine (2), and that the axis of rotation (28a) in Conveying direction (F) is arranged between the at least two needle bars (24, 26) and preferably between the longitudinal axes (14a, 16a) of the first and second main shafts (14, 16). Needle machine (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the axis of rotation (28a) is arranged in the conveying direction (F) between central planes (42, 44) of the at least two needle bars (24, 26). Needle machine (2) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the axis of rotation (28a) is arranged eccentrically between the at least two needle bars (24, 26) in the conveying direction (F). Needle machine (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that a distance of the axis of rotation (28a) from a plane of symmetry between the first and the second main shaft (14, 16) is in a range between 0.1 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 1 cm and lies 3 cm. Needle machine (2) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the axis of rotation (28a) of the swivel joint (28) in a height direction (H) between the first and the second main shaft (14, 16) and the at least one needle bar ( 24, 26), the height direction (H) being aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction (F) and to the longitudinal axis (14a, 16a) of the first main shaft (14) and the second main shaft (16). Needle machine (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that a first distance (A1) is defined parallel to the height direction (H) between the first main shaft (14, 16) and the at least one needle bar (24, 26), and a second distance (A2) parallel to the height direction (H) between the axis of rotation (28a) of the swivel joint (28) and the at least one needle bar (24, 26), wherein the second distance (A2) is smaller than the first distance (A1), preferably smaller than half of the first distance (A1), more preferably smaller than one Third of the first distance (A1), even more preferably less than a quarter of the first distance (A1). Needle machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one first connecting rod (20) on the first main shaft (14) and the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one second connecting rod (22) on the second Differentiate the main shaft (16). Needle machine (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that a difference between the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one first connecting rod (20) and the eccentricity of the mounting of the at least one second connecting rod (22) is between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 9 mm. Needle machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a phase of the first main shaft (14) differs from a phase of the second main shaft (16). Needle machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one needle bar (24, 26) can be moved in an oscillating manner essentially in a straight line in a height direction (H) which is perpendicular to the conveying direction (F). Needle machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the needle machine (2) comprises a plurality of first connecting rods (20a, 20b) and a plurality of second connecting rods (22a, 22b), each first connecting rod (20a, 20b ) is mounted eccentrically on the first main shaft (14) and every second connecting rod (22a, 22b) is mounted eccentrically on the second main shaft (16); wherein a first connecting rod (20a, 20b) of the plurality of first connecting rods (20a, 20b) and a second connecting rod (22a, 22b) of the plurality of second connecting rods (22a, 22b) are articulated to one another; wherein the first connecting rods (20a, 20b) of the plurality of first connecting rods (20a, 20b) are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the first main shaft (14) and the second connecting rods (22a, 22b) of the plurality of second connecting rods (22a, 22b) are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the second main shaft (16).

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